Intravascular Degranulation of Neutrophils in Dog Lungs Secondary to Experimental Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract

Previous work from this laboratory has shown the fine structural changes which occur in the pancreas during the early stages of experimental pancreatitis induced by retrograde injection of purified pancreatic enzymes. Local inflammatory processes in the pancreas include invasion of parenchyma by neutrophils and eosinophils, edema, intravascular clotting, hemorrhage, and exit of fluid and cellular debris through lymphatic vessels.Many secondary complications may follow pancreatitis. The most common secondary complication is pulmonary involvement, including pleural effusion of fluid containing high levels of amylase and lipase, and pneumonitis. The present study concentrates on the fine structure of the lung in dogs with experimental pancreatitis in an attempt to determine what factors might contribute to secondary pulmonary involvement.